If last week’s annual Fourth of July celebration at Great Meadow felt different, there was a reason — the annual event, and many of the activities it featured, were part of an effort by the equestrian venue’s leaders to reimagine public events and chart a new direction.

So, before the dark country sky lit up, there were animals to pet, a rock wall to climb and polo matches to watch. There was lemonade for kids and, for adults, a full bar of local brew taps and bottles of Fauquier County wine.